How do you use the "Selec-Trac"?
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
Year: 2000
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0
I have had no reason to take it out of 2wd since buying it. But am curious if the "OD' on or off offers one advantage over another? Like off when driving under 30 - 40 mph and on the rest of the time?
From what I've read, I'll probly use 4full time on wintry streets, and 4part time when on sloppy mountain roads during winter hunting trips. 4lo must be just what it sounds like . . . if you need that, you'd probly better off with a winch!
So how do you use your "Selec-Trac"?
From what I've read, I'll probly use 4full time on wintry streets, and 4part time when on sloppy mountain roads during winter hunting trips. 4lo must be just what it sounds like . . . if you need that, you'd probly better off with a winch!
So how do you use your "Selec-Trac"?
Last edited by dig4gold; Aug 5, 2018 at 04:31 PM.
CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 469
From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
No need to turn overdrive off unless you are hauling something or climbing a hill and it keeps shifting back and forth between drive and overdrive. The np242 selec trac can be used in full time all of the time but it will give you worse fuel mileage, part time is the same as regular 4 high on other 4x4 vehicles, you don't use it on dry pavement, only in the snow/ice or off-road. Me I never really used full time I just left it in 2wd then I would switch to part time when I needed 4x4.
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I specifically bought my WJ for deep snow and it's unstoppable! In those conditions I run in 4wd full time unless there's ice under the snow. The only problem with part time is when doing sharp turns or U-turns, it tends to "plow", that is not turn but go straight! Booting it in the *** finds you plowing into a snowdrift! On the highway, if I see windblown snow ahead, I shift from 2wd to 4wd full time on the fly just by lifting my foot and grabbing the lever. It shifts easily either way as long as you don't have power on.
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Keep in mind O/D is 4th gear and visa versa. The final drive ratios are 1:1 in 3rd gear and 0.69:1 in 4th. It won't hurt the transmission by driving in 3rd gear all day, but your gas mileage will suffer.
Shifting to low range takes finese. The easiest way for me is to stop, put the transmission in park, Shift to low and if it doesn't seem to go easily, let off on the brake letting it roll just a bit until you feel the gears engage, then shift to drive and go. Shifting out of low is much the same so you don't grind the gears. Low range is not synchronized at all so all the gears need to be either stopped or speed matched or you'll grind something.
Shifting to low range takes finese. The easiest way for me is to stop, put the transmission in park, Shift to low and if it doesn't seem to go easily, let off on the brake letting it roll just a bit until you feel the gears engage, then shift to drive and go. Shifting out of low is much the same so you don't grind the gears. Low range is not synchronized at all so all the gears need to be either stopped or speed matched or you'll grind something.
Last edited by dave1123; Aug 6, 2018 at 11:22 AM.
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